21 Days

III: Archery Club

           It was morning when Jake and Jay decided to make a plan so that they could go to their target place safely. The first thing that came into their minds was the convenience store. Since outside was dangerous, staying in a place where there are supplies could help them with higher chance of survival. Also, they could take shelter on that place as they wait for help.

                One thing that came most noticeable to them was the increasing number of these things going inside the school premises. Since the morning sun rose up, things have turned differently.  

                “Looks like they’re sensitive to light.” Jake whispered. They were in the middle of their discussion.

                “We should take advantage of the sun while it lasts. But our problem right now is how to get past that number.” Jay was referring to the increased number of zombies now lurking in the school building’s corridor. They look blind with their lack of sense when it comes to direction yet they are sensitive to the sun.

                Jake peeked on the small hole from the blinded glass pane and sure enough, majority of the zombies that was outside last night went inside the school building.

                “I think it is best to move in the evening.” Jake sighed. “We can’t risk our lives getting out there with that enormous amount ready to eat us.”

                “I’ve been trying to call home to check if there are people there but the phone lines are congested. It is better if we get help instead of doing it our way.” Jay said.

                Jake looked at him with disbelief. On his side, he just can’t believe that Jay was cowering down. He’d rather get help than do it themselves. Upon realizing that, Jake could only nod. Jay was a lot of trouble but because his parents were always backing him up, he has less fear. He didn’t point that one out though.

                “Even the internet.” Jake said after opening his phone. “We’re basically stuck here.”

                In the middle of their conversation, they heard a blood curdling scream echoing on the left side of the building. Their eyes met. Their first instinct was to hide so they did, they went under the nearest teacher table and for a while hid there.  

                Jake found it strange that the two of them were crowding a single table to hide when there are other hiding spots in the room. Plus, they were locked inside and whatever that screams was won’t be able to reach them. The scream continues and even if it was morning, the fear on Jay’s eyes was obvious.  It’s not the usual fear he felt, the only time he’s like this was when he gets home with failing grades and his father was to beat him up.

                “Get away from me.” Jake said in disgust. Jay just stared at him. “What?”

                Jay raised his fist and Jake scowled.

                “This is not the time for that.” He hissed.

                While they were busy having a small fight underneath the table, the sound of screams got louder. It was followed by a lot of animalistic growl.

                “HELP!! HELP ME!!” the person yelled in plea.  

                Jake was about to get out of their hiding spot so he could assist with his friend but Jay grabbed his arm.

                “Where are you going?” Jay angrily whispered.

                “I need to help him.” Jake said, glancing between Jay and the door.

                “What can you do?”

                Jake was stunned by Jay’s question. Of course he can’t do anything.. Once Jay realized that Jake have finally calmed down, he released his grip and pushed himself out of the hiding spot. He took a peek on the small hole by the glass pane and saw the owner of the scream.

                Jake followed to where Jay was and insisted that he too should see what was going on.

                The scene that played before their eyes was unexpectedly horrifying. They watched as the student get devoured alive by those things, because there were too many of those inside, the boy was helpless, even he was a fast runner, he just can’t get past by the number of these things.

                “Holy—“ Jay cursed under his breath. He was holding the door knob and was ready to open the door if there was a chance of saving the kid but what he had predicted didn’t happen. He could just let go with frustration.

                He walked away of the door tugging his hair.

                Jake on the other hand felt defeated as well. Aside from the almost consumed mint he had in his pocket, they have nothing else with them. Both of their stomachs were growling both in pain and hunger yet if they go out, they’d just get devoured like what happened to that student.

                Without saying anything, Jay grabbed Jake’s arm once again, they were headed for the direction of the windows.

                “What are you doing?”

                “We’re going outside.” Jay pressed and he started unlocking the windows.

                “Wait a minute. How sure are you that there are none of those things outside?”

                “There will be but I’d rather risk my life out there than get stuck here and get eaten.” Jake said gritting his teeth.

                Just to help Jay with his dilemma, Jake went and started surveying the area. There were still great amount of those things outside but not more than what was on the corridors. Jake watched as Jay hopped on the opened window and outside. Jake handed the bad he was holding so Jay could give a swing if ever there was something that would approach him.  

                Jake followed soon and once outside, they proceeded without more conversations.

                Because of this unplanned move, their way to the convenience store didn’t come easy. Jay wanted to go to the van where it was parked and snatch the car away but even before they could arrive there, the remaining of those being outside started following the noise of their footsteps.

                “Shit.. They’re following us.” Jake said.

                “J..Just hurry up!” Jay said as they run.

                This time, they can’t fight. They could only defend and the only purpose of the bat Jay was holding was to sweep away the zombies approaching on the front.

                They can’t head straight on the front gate so instead of continuing North where the school gate was, they turned right and headed to the place where the tracking field was. They run with the best of their ability and since the sun has become blazing hot, the movements of the zombies slowed down.

                “Don’t lose your speed!” Jay said.

                They passed by the tracking field and managed to arrive at the place where most of the club room was. It was quieter there and there seems to be less neither actions nor movements occurring at that place. The growls of the undead could be heard from a distant location and because the two was confident that there won’t be any more harm on their part, they relaxed a bit and started surveying the area.

                “We can take the back gate outside if we want. It is near here. I’m not sure where though.” Jay said after surveying the area.

Just in time he turned to where Jake was, he spotted a zombie lurking behind him. It was ready to gnaw onto Jake who wasn’t aware what was going to happen. He tried grabbing Jake’s collar to save him but the distance between him and Jake that time made it impossible for a quick reach. It felt like that scene was occurring in slow motion and Jay can’t do anything about it. 

                It happened so quickly and his only choice was to close his eyes. An then he heard it as his movements stopped.

A sound of speeding arrow whistled into the air and passed by above them, landing on the zombie’s forehead. It lost balance and growled really loud that Jake finally noticed. He turned around to see the horrific look the zombie’s face wore. It was angry and the smell it possesses was so horrible that made Jake unable to think.

Seeing this, Jay quickly dragged Jake away within a good distance until they fell on the ground. The sound of arrows continues and until the thing was knocked down, it didn’t stop.

The two of them were left gasping for air. Their bodies were trembling with fear. What more, Jay can’t believe that this guy almost died in front of him.

                He was confused. He hates this person yet the moment his life was almost got taken from him, he was scared for a while. Jay decided to shove these thoughts away and helped Jake stand up. He almost lost his balance because Jake was still startled. His legs felt like jelly and that time, running seems impossible.

                “Hurry up! I won’t be able to hold it all for ya!” a voice said and appeared behind them was another student holding a bow and arrow.

                Jay didn’t waste any more time as he helped Jake walk towards the direction of the student who helped them. The sound of their voices attracted the nearby zombies and was starting to walk on their direction. But even before those things could gather up, the two managed to get inside.

                The other student clicked his tongue as he called the two other who appeared from the dark and they closed the wooden door together, they put some planks to lock it and just hoped that those things won’t gang up in numbers or their doors won’t be able to handle the pressure.

                Once done, the student who helped them scanned them with a small frown. He was suspicious.  

                “No. no no… We’re not injured or anything.” Jay clarified.

                “Why are you wearing a handkerchief on your face?” one student asked.

                “Ah.. this..” Jay said and went and removed it. The handkerchief has now more blood stain on it.

                “s**t!!! T..That’s the son of the director!” one of the students yelped as he hid behind the one who acts as the leader, the one with the bow and arrow.

                “Ah.. I see. The popular guy. Maybe it is a good time for making a connection. My name’s Ethan Lee.” The leader smirked and offered a good hand on Jay’s direction.  

                Jay only looked at him and Ethan awkwardly pulled his hand away.

                “I am the captain of the archery club and these two, Jean and Sunny are my members.” Ethan said proudly.

                “I am not your member. I just got dragged here by Sunny.” Jean complained.

                “Who is that person though? He looks familiar?” Sunny asked, he was referring to Jake who was still spacing out.

                “Oh.. That’s Jake. The alien.” Jean said nonchalantly. His eyes then turned wide as he looked at Jay and Jake. “H..How these two?”

                “He is an alien? But I don’t see that” Sunny frowned while John started whispering some words to Sunny that shocked both of them.

                “Ah.. Never mind these two. So… How are you still alive?” Ethan asked.

                Jay glared at Jake who was still out of it.

                “It just happened.” Jay shrugged. “Do you have something to eat here?”

                “Sure. We’re in the same building as the home economics club so yeah we have access.” Ethan said. “Just follow me.”

                Ethan, before leaving the area made sure that the planks were well placed before they started walking ahead of the two.

                “Your friend looked shocked. Better comfort him first. He’s so out of it.” Ethan was referring to Jake who was still aloof.

                Jake was still on the floor, he can’t believe that he almost died back there. He could still hear the loud pounding of his heart inside his chest. He felt like all of the remaining energy inside his body left the system and due to hunger, the feeling just became worse. He got out of his stupor when Jay’s face came into view. He was shaking Jake by the shoulder and the handkerchief he’s been wearing on his face was removed. Now, all he could see was the face of the person he hates, the same face that wore the horrified look when he realized that he can’t save him.

                “I’m taking your bag.” Jay said. He then lift Jake by the arm and dragged him to where Ethan’s group was.

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                The archery club was stated in the old school building. It was once the faculty office but was now home to home economics club, archery, and literature. It was a small building maybe that’s why it became possible for Ethan’s group to easily lock up the opened areas of the building.

                When they arrived at the home economics club room, they spotted two small horizontal counter top both with sinks and a single stove.

                “Welcome to my club.” Sunny introduced with his ever so nice smile. It was Jay’s first time seeing a smile so bright that maybe could burn the zombie’s eyes when they looked at him. “I am originally from home economics but you see I am very bad at it.”

                For that morning, instant noodles were once again served. Nobody among the small group knows how to cook. There were supplies the school provides for the club but since they came from a long vacation, the remaining supplies left were half a box of instant noodles and a can of sweet corn.

                “Unfortunate… Really unfortunate.” Ethan was shaking his head. He was conversing with Jay and he found out about the ill relationship between him and Jake. “If you didn’t argue with the guy, probably you’ve become one of those flesh seeking animals out there. In the end you’re still indebted.”

                “How am I indebted? If we didn’t argue then we’re both dead by now.” Jay said. It was always him and his pride.

                Sunny and Jean on the other hand was talking with Jake. They were helping him overcome the anxiety of the situation he just experienced. They noticed the small bruises on his hands and Sunny helped treat them and bandaged them.

                Still, Jake’s thought was occupied by what have happened earlier.

                “Will this be our end?” he found himself asking.

                Jean and Sunny exchanged looks. Sunny’s face saddened because he was once in that situation too. Yesterday, he was a crying mess and right that time, he realized that he was not alone with the thought. Seeing this, Jean heaved a deep sigh and put a good hand on both of their shoulders.

                “We’re going to get through this.” He said confidently. “We just have to find the things we’re good at and then maybe… Just maybe we can fight our way outside.”

                Jake and Sunny looked at Jean. A small smile crept up their faces. Even a stranger’s confident words gave them the courage.

                “There is more to life and if we survive here, we could stand tall and proud showing our heroic faces on the next generation.” Jean grinned.

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